Acoustic transducer

Patent · Tue Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:871300

Drumheller, Douglas S ^[1]

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1. Cedar Crest, NM

An acoustic transducer comprising a one-piece hollow mandrel into the outer surface of which is formed a recess with sides perpendicular to the central axis of the mandrel and separated by a first distance and with a bottom parallel to the central axis and within which recess are a plurality of washer-shaped discs of a piezoelectric material and at least one disc of a temperature-compensating material with the discs being captured between the sides of the recess in a pre-stressed interference fit, typically at 2000 psi of compressive stress. The transducer also includes a power supply and means to connect to a measurement device. The transducer is intended to be used for telemetry between a measurement device located downhole in an oil or gas well and the surface. The transducer is of an construction that is stronger with fewer joints that could leak fluids into the recess holding the piezoelectric elements than is found in previous acoustic transducers.

• Research Organization: SANDIA CORP
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• Assignee: Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
• Patent Number(s): US 5703836
• OSTI ID: 871300
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/367/
2000
acoustic
acoustic transducer
acoustic transducers
axis
bottom
captured
central
central axis
compressive
compressive stress
comprising
connect
construction
device
device located
disc
discs
distance
downhole
electric element
electric elements
elements
fewer
fit
fluids
formed
found
gas
holding
hollow
hollow mandrel
intended
interference
interference fit
joints
leak
located
mandrel
material
means
measurement
measurement device
oil
one-piece
outer
outer surface
parallel
perpendicular
piezoelectric
piezoelectric element
piezoelectric elements
piezoelectric material
plurality
power
power supply
pre-stressed
previous
psi
recess
separated
stress
stronger
supply
surface
telemetry
temperature-compensating
transducer
transducer comprising
transducers
typically
washer-shaped